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Description

AutoCAD for Beginners: Draw, Dimension and Lay Out a Scaled Drawing in CAD

Produce your first dimensioned drawings and print them to scale using the core AutoCAD tools

  • 4 days — 28 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Receiving a drawing from a design office without being able to edit it means waiting for someone else to make the smallest correction. Drawings produced by hand or in a general-purpose tool hold neither the scale nor the dimensioning expected on site.

Four days to become fully independent in producing a complete drawing in AutoCAD. The programme starts with the interface and precise drawing, establishes layer-based organisation, covers blocks and dimensioning, and ends with layout and scaled printing of a drawing ready to be issued.

Learning objectives

  • Find your way around the AutoCAD interface and input modes
  • Draw with precision using object snaps and coordinates
  • Organise a drawing by layers and properties
  • Create and insert reusable blocks
  • Dimension and annotate a drawing clearly
  • Lay out and print a drawing to scale

What makes this programme different

A complete drawing is produced from the first line through to scaled printing
Commands are learned from the keyboard on day one to build speed
Common beginner errors on layers and scales are addressed as soon as they appear

Programme

1Getting to Grips with the Interface

Finding your bearings and drawing your first objects

  • Identify the screen areas and the command ribbon
  • Use the command line and keyboard shortcuts
  • Create a drawing and set its units
  • Draw and modify simple objects

2Drawing with Precision

Accurate drawings rather than approximate ones

  • Enter absolute and relative coordinates
  • Use object snaps and polar tracking
  • Apply the common modification commands
  • Correct a drawing without starting again

3Organising the Drawing by Layers

Structure to stay in control of the file

  • Create layers and assign colours and line types
  • Manage layer visibility and locking
  • Move objects from one layer to another
  • Rework a poorly structured file received from a third party

4Blocks, Hatching and Libraries

Saving time on repeated elements

  • Create a block and insert it into a drawing
  • Modify a block and propagate the change
  • Apply hatching and fills
  • Build a library of reusable elements

5Dimensioning, Layout and Printing

Delivering a usable drawing

  • Create a dimension style suited to the document
  • Dimension and annotate a drawing clearly
  • Prepare layouts and viewports
  • Print or export a drawing at the required scale

Who is it for

Junior draughtspersons, technicians, site supervisors, interior designers and anyone required to produce or modify drawings.

Prerequisites

Be able to use a computer and manage your own files.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.